Postpartum Checklist: What To Do After You Have Baby

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Postpartum Checklist: What To Do After You Have Baby

Most expecting families are so consumed with preparing for labor and birth that they barely spend any time thinking about or preparing for life with baby. Just like there are things to do during your first, second, and third trimester, there are things that need to get done in the “fourth trimester,” too – the postpartum period. Postpartum is the first three months (12 weeks) after baby is born. Here are 20 things you need to do after you have a baby–our postpartum checklist:

BABY CHICK POSTPARTUM CHECKLIST

1. ADD BABY TO INSURANCE PLAN

If you haven’t done this already, be sure to call your insurance and add your daughter or son to your insurance. Medical bills start adding up from the moment baby is born, so having baby on your plan will save you some major headaches.

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2. APPLY FOR BABY’S BIRTH CERTIFICATE

If you had your baby in a hospital, most of the hospitals will submit the birth certificate paperwork for you if you agree to it. You will receive baby’s Social Security card in the mail, and from there will be able to go online to order hard copies of your baby’s Birth Certificate. Be sure to request two copies when you do. Also, make sure that you do receive their Social Security card in the mail and when you do, store it somewhere safe.

If you have your baby at home or at a birth center your midwife will submit the paperwork instead of the hospital. You’ll then receive baby’s Social Security card in the mail and will be able to order a Birth Certificate online!

4. CONTACT WORK FOR FMLA/SHORT TERM DISABILITY

Once you have given birth to your baby and have settled down a bit, it’s time to contact your office and make sure everything is set up for you to receive any maternity leave benefits that you’re entitled to. This will be different for everyone so check what benefits you have.

5. CALL NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER

If you wanted newborn photos, hopefully you contacted a newborn photographer during your pregnancy and reserved their time to photograph your newborn. Now that your baby is here, it’s time to let them know and schedule your photo session.

6. ORDER, ADDRESS AND MAIL OUT BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

It’s time to spread the good news! There are several sites that offer gorgeous pre-designed templates for your baby’s birth announcement.

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7. WRITE THANK YOU NOTES

Even though you sent out your thank you notes from your shower, you may have several people that you want to thank now. Write a thank you note to your doctor or midwife, your nurse, your doula, your friends and family that have been helping you postpartum. They will be so grateful for those kind written words of thanks.

8. START PUMPING

It’s nice to build up a freezer stash full of breastmilk especially if you plan on returning back to work. This isn’t something that’s mandatory, but pumping once a day (in the morning preferably–that’s when you produce the most amount of milk) after you’re finished feeding your baby can help increase our supply and give you some much needed backup stock.

9. DO TUMMY TIME

Even newborns are supposed to have daily tummy time (time spent on their bellies to develop strong neck and back muscles, among other benefits). Even when they are just days old, it’s good to have them lay on your chest so they can try and practice lifting their head to look at you or to nurse.

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10. GET OUTSIDE

I cannot tell you enough how nice it is to get out of the house. Some fresh air really makes a difference and can give you the much needed energy boost to handle your day. Make it a point to get out of the house once a day, even if it’s just to walk around the block.

11. CONTINUE TAKING YOUR VITAMINS DAILY

12. EAT HEALTHY SNACKS AND MEALS

Your body is healing and needs only the best. If you’re breastfeeding, it’s also important to provide the best nutrients to your child. Eating fruits, vegetables and lean protein will help make you feel so much better.

13. DRINK LOTS OF WATER

For recovery and for breastfeeding you need to be drinking lots of water. Your body is going through a lot of changes and water will help — it will keep your bowels regular and soft, and it can help with your milk production.

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14.TAKE A SHOWER AND GET READY

A shower and a little lip gloss will make you feel fresh and human again.

15. REST

You just gave birth to a baby. Don’t push yourself to do more than you must. This is the time that you need to rest. You don’t want your recovery to last longer than necessary.

16. USE YOUR VILLAGE

If you need help, get it! There is NO shame in needing your mom, a friend, a neighbor, or anyone you can find to come over and help you do dishes, laundry, cook you a meal, or hold your baby while you take a nap or a shower. Hundreds of years ago, women lived together and were able to help each other – the so-called “village” was much more literal even 50 years ago.

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17. GET HELP IF YOU NEED IT

If you’re really feeling down or blue, talk to your doctor. Getting help, talking to a counselor, or getting on medication to treat postpartum anxiety or depression ARE NOT things to be ashamed of. Postpartum mood disorders are a result of hormonal changes and don’t mean you’re weak, crazy, or a bad mom.

18. BOND WITH YOUR BABY

This is the most important . . . try to enjoy and cherish your time with your newborn and get to know him/her. I know that you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, frustrated, and confused, . . . but I promise that this time is temporary and things will get better. It’s cliché, but as they say “the days are long but the years are short” and it’s so true. Just know that no mother enjoys every moment of motherhood, so do your best to find the good in each day and remember that the difficult times too shall pass.

Did I miss anything on your postpartum to-do list? Let me know in the comments below!

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Nina is The Baby Chick® & CEO of Baby Chick®. She is a baby planner, birth doula, postpartum doula, childbirth educator, newborn care specialist, and a mother. With over eight years of experience, she has supported hundreds of families during their pregnancies, births, and postpartum journeys.